7 Tips for Feeding Bangkok Chickens
Raising Bangkok chickens? These 7 tips for feeding Bangkok chickens cover chick feeding, protein, dry feed, milk, vitamins and getting the amounts right.
Bangkok chickens are raised because they fetch high prices. Most of them are kept as game fowl, thanks to their tall build and heavier weight compared with ordinary kampung chickens (Indonesia's free-range native chickens). Because they are bred as game birds, Bangkok chickens can't be raised carelessly; the goal is to preserve their natural character as fighting birds. One of the most important things for any poultry farmer raising Bangkok chickens to get right is feed. The feed has to be appropriate so the bird's body stays well proportioned.
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Don't Feed Chicks Right After Hatching
The first thing farmers need to keep in mind is to avoid feeding Bangkok day-old chicks (DOC) right after they hatch. The reason is that newly hatched chicks still have a food reserve, so they should only be fed after a few days. Bangkok chicks fed immediately after hatching become more prone to disease.
High-Protein Feed
To get the most out of a Bangkok chicken's growth on the farm, farmers can give it high-protein feed, which helps build stronger muscle tissue. This high-protein feed can be given during the starter period. Protein is still needed in later stages, but not in the same amounts as during the starter period.
Dry Feed
Bangkok chickens are special birds, so it's no surprise that they need special feeding, different from other chickens. Other chickens can be given wet or dry feed, but Bangkok chickens in the starter period are an exception. Wet feed can cause respiratory problems such as colds in starter-age Bangkok chickens, so dry feed is the better choice.
Also read The Right Homemade Feed Mix for Bangkok Chickens
Avoid the Wrong Feed Mixes
When feeding Bangkok chickens, farmers should avoid the wrong feed mixes, especially any mix that fills the birds up too quickly. Mixing in feed that is high in carbohydrates can make Bangkok chickens feel full quickly and slow their growth.
Milk
To maximize growth, farmers can provide calcium, which makes a Bangkok chicken's bones stronger. Mix dry feed with powdered milk once the bird is more than 1 month old. When mixing, make sure the ratio is right so the nutrition stays balanced.
Vitamins and Supplements
An important part of raising Bangkok chickens is giving the right vitamins and supplements. Choose vitamins that not only keep the immune system stable but also stimulate the bird's appetite. Besides vitamins, farmers can give an appetite-boosting supplement if a chicken's appetite seems irregular or different from usual.
Feed the Right Amount
The key to feeding Bangkok chickens properly is to give the right amount. The older the bird, the more feed it should get. Avoid overfeeding, because it will only make Bangkok chickens lazy.
Every type of chicken has its own feeding tips, and the feed has to suit the breed being raised. Bangkok chickens are no exception. Give your Bangkok chickens the right feed so they can grow and develop to their full potential.
